SECRET
MAR3 101/2
маз
025463
MDHOAN 1967
TOP COPY Q DIST?
pa
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TELNO 24
OF 25150OZ MARCH 92
PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY FROM BURNS, AUSS
VISIT TO HONG KONG: 1-4 APRIL
1.
YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE HEARD FROM GOVERNMENT HOUSE THAT SIMON BROADBENT, NIGEL COX AND I SHALL BE VISITING HONG KONG 1-4 OR 1-6 APRIL AND HOPE THAT YOU COULD FIT IN A MEETING WITH US EARLY
IN THE PROGRAMME.
2.THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THIS VISIT IS TO BRING OURSELVES FULLY UP TO DATE ON KEY ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ISSUES, THAT HAVE A UK AND/OR CHINESE DIMENSION, SO THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION IF NECESSARY TO BRIEF AN INCOMING GOVERNMENT. THERE IS OF COURSE NO WISH HERE TO ENCROACH AT ALL ON HONG KONG'S AUTONOMY IN THESE
AREAS.
3. FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION WE HOPE TO GET A BETTER FEEL THAN WE HAVE AT PRESENT FOR SOME OF THE MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL ISSUES, BOTH WHERE THERE IS A DIRECT BEARING ON THE BRITISH NATIONAL INTEREST, EG EXPORT CREDIT DECISIONS, CIVIL SERVICE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS, AND MORE GENERALLY, SO AS TO REDUCE OUR NEED TO REACT PECEMEAL TO ANY FUTURE UNPLEASANT SURPRISES. WITH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT POLICY WE CAN CARRY MORE CREDIBILITY IN WHITEHALL DISCUSSIONS, NOTABLY WITH THE
TREASURY AND BANK OF ENGLAND.
4.
OUR BROAD AGENDA COVERS THE AIRPORT PROJECT: CONTRACTS AND FRANCHISES SPANNING 1997: THE PROSPECTS FOR GREATER SINO-BRITISH UNDERSTANDING ON FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC QUESTIONS: HKG'S PRIVATISATION/CORPORATISATION PLANS AND ANY OTHER ISSUES WE CAN
IDENTIFY WHICH COULD PROVE A SOURCE OF FRICTION WITH THE CHINESE
OR CAUSE DIFFICULTIES WITH THE TREASURY HERE.
5. THIS IS ALL RATHER BROAD-BRUSH, BUT YOU WILL SEE WHY WE PARTICULARLY WANT TO PICK YOUR BRAINS AND DRAW ON YOUR EXPERIENCE. IT WOULD BE VERY USEFUL IF WE COULD HAVE A MEETING EARLY ON, IF CONVENIENT, NOT LEAST IN ORDER TO GET YOUR
PAGE
SECRET
1